Verizon and Yahoo! Extend Co-Branded Portal Deal

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) have announced today that they are entering a multiyear contract to co-brand the Verizon-Yahoo! portal as the starting point for Verizon mobile users. This agreement first started in 2005.

“In addition to providing consumers the fastest upload and download broadband connection speeds available, Verizon offers features and services that enhance our customers’ Internet experience,” stated Eric J. Bruno, SVP at Verizon Corporate Marketing. “Allowing customers to select a portal and personalize their content is a key part of the Verizon broadband experience.”

Portal FeaturesThose who use Verizon’s FiOS Internet and High Speed Internet will see Yahoo! as the default search and e-mail, toolbar, and chat provider. Yahoo! will also control the advertising on the co-branded portal. Verizon and Yahoo! will share the revenues generated from the portal.

Other features of the portal includes a sports ticket, weather, finance, TV, and Flickr-powered videos and photos.

What About Google?Yahoo!’s official announcement is contradictory to a post that I wrote about a week ago, detailing Verizon’s interest in a deal with Google. Perhaps that deal is off.This information is based on a Yahoo! press release.